How to Wire a Pass & Seymour GFCI

You can install a Pass & Seymour brand ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, outlet in place of an existing outlet. United States electrical code requires that all outlets in new construction that are near water or outside must be protected by a GFCI. The Pass & Seymour GFCI uses straight terminals that don't require bending the wire and have output terminals that allow for multiple outlets to be protected by one GFCI. You should only install a GFCI if you are familiar with electrical wiring. Improper installation can defeat the safety features of the outlet, which is designed to protect from shock or electrocution.

Flat-head screwdriver
Cross-head screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Switch off the electrical circuit on which you will be working. Never work on a live electrical circuit.
- 2
  Remove the screws holding the wall plate over the existing outlet and remove the wall plate.
- 3
  Remove the mounting screws holding the outlet in the junction box and pull the outlet out of the box.
- 4
  Loosen the screw terminals holding the wires to the outlet and remove the wires.
- 5
  Straighten the bare metal section of the wires, or the last half-inch for the bare ground wire. Since the Pass & Seymour uses socket terminals, the wires need to be straight.
- 6
  Insert the bare copper or green ground wire in the bottom terminal with the green screw and tighten the screw to hold the wire in place.
- 7
  Insert the black wire into either of the sockets labeled as "hot line" and tighten the screw The hot terminal has a brass screw.
- 8
  Insert the white wire into one of the sockets labeled as "white line," with the silver colored screw, and tighten the screw.
- 9
  Insert the GFCI in the junction box and install the mounting screws to hold it in place.
- 10
  Install the face plate and turn on the power.
- 11
  Plug in a lamp, turn it on and press the "Test" button on the outlet. If the lamp turns off, you correctly wired the GFCI.
- 12
  Press "Reset" to restore power to the outlet.

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